Santa Barbara is an upscale community on the central California coast. Also known as the American Riviera, it stands out for its high-end boutiques, expansive beaches, and terrific restaurants. It is also a central destination for wine.

The city is near the east-west transverse coastline which offers geological and climate conditions that are perfect for wine cultivation. This makes it the perfect location for the 20-plus wine rooms that pepper the downtown area. Here’s a list of a few you won’t want to miss out on.

Margerum Wine Comapny

The Margerum Wine Company tasting room is one of the newer additions to the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail. It is housed inside the Hotel Californian adjacent to the city’s vibrant Funk Zone. It is just steps from the Moxi Museum, Stearns Wharf, and other prime Santa Barbara attractions.

The Tasting Room offers an upscale menu, events, and private experiences. Guests can visit to enjoy great food and wine. Reservations are required.

Au Bon Climat Tasting Room 

Au Bon Climat offers a beautiful tasting room in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. It is the only tasting room that allows guests to sample from their extensive library. They offer 6 flights of wine for tasting, each more delicious than the last.

The company offers a variety of special wine-tasting experiences. You can customize a unique package based on a specific wine or vintage. Contact them to create a memory that will last a lifetime.

Kunin Wines Tasting Room

Kunin is known for producing small lots of Rhone-style wines from the best vineyards on the central coast. They focus on Syrah, Zinfandel, and Viognier but have added varietals over the years. These include Grenache, Mourvedre, Chenin Blanc, Rousanne, and Sauvignon Blanc.

They offer a wide variety of wine-tasting options as well as cheese and charcuterie pairings. Their tasting room is the best place to learn more about the company. They are in the Presidio neighborhood of Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail.

Lafond Winery

The Lafond Winery was founded in 1962. It was the first post-prohibition commercial winery in Santa Barbara. It has won several awards for its fine array of wines.

Its tasting room offers event and VIP tasting experiences. Guests also have the option to host private events for groups. You can schedule a VIP tasting for groups of six or more which includes cheese, bread, and fruit.

Riverbench Vineyard & Winery

The Riverbench Vineyard was established in 1973 in Santa Maria Valley. Since then, it has built a reputation for top-notch wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkline selections.

The company has tasting rooms in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara location is in the heart of the Funk Zone wine-tasting neighborhood. Visitors can choose from a daily list of locally grown still and sparkling wines by the glass or flight.

Jaffurs Wine Cellars

Jaffurs was established in 1994. It is known for producing small lots of highly acclaimed Rhone wines including Grenache, Syrah, Viognier, Petite Sirah. It is in downtown Santa Barbara just blocks from the beach.

Tasting room appointments are required for groups of 6 people or more. Tasting is free for wine club members and up to three guests. Food and music are available for special events.

Carr Winery

Carr Winery was established in 1999 and specializes in limited-production wine. Each vintage is handcrafted from the grapes grown on the winery’s 100 acres of vineyards. The company is known for its Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, and Cabernet Franc selections.

The tasting room is housed in the 1940s Quonset Hut in downtown Santa Barbara. Guests can enjoy the ambiance while sipping delicious wines. Wines tastings are available daily.

Cebada Wine

Cebada Wine is one of Santa Barbara’s newest tasting rooms. It is in the downtown area on the Urban Wine Trail. It is known for its award-winning Estate Grown, Old World Burgundian Style Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

Tastings are available at the Farm by appointment. The winemakers will be present to conduct tastings. After attending a workshop, you can stroll the 100 acres of land and enjoy the view.

Municipal Wines

Municipal Wines are sourced from sustainable Santa Barbara growers who farm without herbicides. They offer subscription services that are affordable and environmentally friendly. They provide same-day delivery in Santa Monica.

You can also visit Municipal Wines tasting room. It is in the city’s Funk Zone. You can come by without a reservation to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle.

Santa Barbara has so many wine-tasting locations to choose from. The ones on this list are only a few of the facilities worth visiting. Which ones will you be checking out the next time you’re in the area?